Epilogue
If anyone had asked me what part of my wedding I was most nervous about, the slow dancing part would have been the least of my concerns.
However, as I was pulled away from Guy”s arms by his mother, I knew I held my breath and hoped for this to pass. Unfortunately, we hadn’t become best of friends like I had hoped, but slowly she was beginning to adjust in her own way. Still, I appreciated her sense of humor and the fact that my mother was there and more than able to counter her subliminal digs and attacks.
Today, however, she was fully smiling.
“You are breathtakingly beautiful,” she said, and I nodded, but I knew to wait for the other side of the coin.
“Thank you, Elise,” I said, and then she stroked my hair out of my face.
“Now that you two are married, you’re going to quit your job, right? As his secretary?”
This was the first I was hearing of it, and because this was my wedding, I wanted to keep the peace. I plastered on my smile but didn”t mince my words.
“And why do I have to do that, even though I love being his secretary?” I asked.
“Well, because you have to work on your own achievements now,” she said, and I was taken aback. She immediately noticed my expression.
“I know I”ve been an ass,” she said, “But why don”t you have your son suddenly marry his secretary and not wonder if some seducing was involved?”
This made me laugh out, and when I turned to see my mother having her own dance with Guy across the floor, with a smile on her face, I felt relieved.
“I”ve never just loved being just a wife, and since I”m your mom now as well, even though your actual mom doesn”t think I have your best interest at heart, I want to encourage you to take the chance now, after the baby is born, to explore the things that you want. You no longer have to think solely about supporting yourself and your mom... we”re your family now, and we”ll support you.”
My throat choked up with emotion, but I refused to let the tears that gathered in my eyes fall. This was becoming my norm: the love, the support, a lot of snide remarks and fights, as she and my mom weren’t yet the best of friends, but it had been entertaining to watch them bicker throughout the wedding preparations.
Now, however, I could see the acceptance in her eyes, and I loved how honest she was.
“My son loves you,” she said. “I”ve seen it too many times to ignore, and so as a result, I love you as well. Welcome to the family, darling.”
I tightened my arms around her as we moved, but too quickly, my mom came over.
“Hannah,’’ she asked, and I sighed.
“I”m fine, Mom. She”s not harassing me.”
“Ellen, you need to calm down. She”s my daughter now as well.”
At this, I was amused as the two women looked affectionately at each other and then got together in a dance.
I was amazed as I stared at them, and then my love came over and slid his arm around my waist.
“It”s been a very interesting couple of months, hasn’t it?” he asked, and I turned and smiled up at him.
“I have stories to tell our baby. He”s going to have a blast with these two.”
“Can we get back to our dance now?” he asked, and I nodded.
He took my hand and I rested against him.
“Have we decided on names yet?” he asked, and I smiled.
“We’re not having that debate here.”
“You’re very emotional right now, and so am I. It”s a special moment, so let”s just review our options with all the love and warmth filling our hearts.”
“No, we decided on a trial during the honeymoon. Wait.”
At this, he laughed out loud and leaned down to kiss me.
“Sure you don”t want to get into law?” he asked, and I considered this.
“I might, just so I can reopen Sandra”s case in another five years and add another ten years to her sentence.”
“Jesus, you”re still pissed off at her. Remind me not to step on your toes when that happens.”
“I”m serious about it,” I replied. “Your mom was just talking to me about career paths, and thus far, I keep falling in love with law. There”s nothing I”d love more than to work with you.”
“Work with me?” He held me even tighter as we slowly danced. “I love the sound of that.”